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I have 4 new posts! Check them ALL out!!

Ryan's First Day of School

Here we go... starting the 2009-2010 school year! Ryan looks so good with his new haircut and he's all ready to go.


*clear throat* so is Ben...

Ryan's Haircut

Last week, we thought it was time to get Ryan's hair under control. I really stuggled with the fact that we were going to cut all his curls off, but I think he looks really great! Besides, his hair is always going to grow back!


Before:After:

Pleasant Surprise!

On Friday, I was stressing and gearing up for my Triathlon. I then got a knock on the door. It was a good friend of mine, Aubrie, bringing me some yummy treats. Thanks Aubrie for thinking of me. And… I really need that recipe because I inhaled them ALL!!!

My Triathlon Results!

Oh man! I did it! That race was one of the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do! I almost died! Here is a breakdown of what I went through...

(WARNING: I say “stupid” a lot in the biking portion! That’s all I have to say…)

Oh, I just found out my official time... it is 1:55:17. I went to the website that was sponsoring this event, and I found some pictures of me! DON'T LAUGH!!

Swimming:
I started the race with a ¼ of a mile swim. I had to wait in a line before I could jump in to swim 8 whole laps. I did pretty well with the swimming. I didn’t really have a hard time at all with it. I did notice though, after I got out of the pool and started running toward my bike, I was pretty dizzy. I had to get my grips on the ground!

Here's me swimming on the last lap!

Here I am getting out of the pool. Yeah... sort of embarrassed by this picture! My boobs are totally hanging out!!


Biking:
Oh boy... here we go. Right after I got on my bike and started my 10 miles, I immediately started praying for help!! I didn’t think I was going to do it at all. For some reason, biking is one of the hardest things for me. The bike route that they set up was a 5 mile loop so I had to make it around twice. Towards the end of the loop, they decided to put in a huge hill for us to bike up. My first attempt, I tried changing my bike in a lower gear as I was going up the hill and my chain fell off. By sure luck, one of my good friends was behind me and he jumped off his bike and put my chain back on. (Thanks again Rich!!) I had just a little tiny bit left to go up the hill and I had to get off my bike and walk the rest of the way up. I felt so stupid and felt like a failure.

But oh no, my stupidity and failure wasn’t done there!!! On my second loop around, I noticed that I was getting pretty thirsty so I decided that I was going to get a drink from the aide stations they have set up. When I reached a station, I was going pretty fast so I decided to slow down a bit so I could catch the water cup. Well, I failed miserably!!! I slowed down too much and I missed the cup the volunteer was trying to hand me. I lost control of my bike and crashed! I veered toward the right and hit the curb and went flying on the grass. When I landed, I thought my race was over. I thought I broke my leg but luckily, I just bruised my knee and shin pretty good. I was able to get back up and another volunteer had to put my chain back on my bike. Man, that poor bike! I’m sure it was screaming at me saying, “Hello Stupid!! Learn how to ride me!!” I was able to barely recover emotionally and physically by then before I had to head up that stupid hill again. At my second attempt at the hill, I didn’t even get halfway up before I jumped off my bike again panting and gasping for air. I just wanted to throw in the towel. I was done! (Oh... and by the way. I wanted to thank all of those who laughed at me when I told them I fell off my bike! I would LOVE to see you try and do this triathlon!!)

Running:
After I got off my bike and, by the way, was barely able to lift it up to put it back on the rack, I started off for my 3.2 mile run. I only took about 20 steps into the run and decided that I just had to walk. The running portion of the race was also split up into a 2 loop pattern. Emotionally and physically, I was done with the race. I just wanted to give up right then. I thought that I was going to walk the whole running portion. I was pretty upset with myself.

Halfway into the first loop, I started thinking that running wouldn’t be a bad idea to try! It took me a couple of times of running and stopping to finally find a good running rhythm. I was able to complete the second loop with very limited walking. I was really surprised that my body had more energy and my mind was able to focus on finishing the race.


Here is a video that Troy took of me running to the finish line…



So, after my wonderful experience, I’m not sure if I would try another one of these Triathlons. Who knows what the future holds for me. I would like to run another ½ marathon though. That was pretty awesome.

Ready... Set... Go!!

I'm getting ready for Saturday! This is going to be my first Triathlon! I have to swim 1/4 of a mile, bike for 10 miles, and run 3.1 miles. I just finished my shirt I will be wearing that day...

Front of Shirt

Back of Shirt

Monday...

Ryan starts school and I'm very excited. He will be going 4 times a week this year and I think he's really going to enjoy it.

So guess what??!!

We got our new car!

Troy and I have been talking about my current car that I own and we just need to sell it and get another one. So, we did! This car is a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. We just got it last night!

We drove all the way up to Logan to get it. It was a long drive up but Ryan drove with me in the new car on the way back. Holy Cow, that child! All he could say was, "Mommy's new car?! Mommy's new car!!! Ride in Mommy's car?!" He was so excited! Right before we got home, Ryan said, "Put mommy's new car in the garage?!" I swear, he is getting better and better with his talking! Today, he is still excited and all he wants to do is go take rides in it.

So far, I've had fun today running my errands. I wish I could have a new car each week. That would make me happy!

Perfect Perfect...

Last night, Troy and I went on a PERFECT date! It was so great. I haven't had such a good time in a long time. Here's what happened....

First, THANK YOU to Troy's brother Tyler and his wonderful fiance Emily!! They came all the way down from Salt Lake to babysit for us. Troy took their engagement pictures so they thought they needed to pay us back... one of those ways was to babysit for us.

Troy and I took off up to Salt Lake to go witness such a wonderful event! We went to the Salt Lake temple to see the Lindsey Family get sealed! (They are a wonderful family in our ward. Amy Lindsey is my visiting teacher. Troy and I also teach their youngest, Lex, in our Sunbeam class.)

Jon was baptized a member of the church a little over a year ago. It was really cool. Their oldest daughter, Evey turned 8 and she was able to be baptized with her dad. Looking back now, I really regret missing that event. What was I thinking?!

This past Tuesday, Jon and Amy were able to receive their endownments in the Provo temple. Troy stayed home with the crazy little boys while I escaped out of the house.

That was a great experience to see them in the temple. I remember seeing Amy out in the hall before she came into the endownment room. She was so beautiful! She had her new white dress on and she looked so pure and clean, and innocent. Jon looked really happy to be there with Amy.

So, back to last night...

Troy and I got down to Salt Lake and were able to be on time to the temple. We sat in the marriage waiting room waiting for the sealing to start. As we did, we were able to talk about some experiences we both had in the temple.

There weren't alot of people at the sealing but we were able to get a front row seat. Jon and Amy then came in and were able to be sealed as a couple for time and all eternity. They looked so happy. They held hands over the alter and kissed like a new couple even though they've been married for several years.

Then... they invited the 3 kids into the room. Oh man... Troy and I lost it!! Evey and Paris looked so beautiful with their new white dresses and white bows in their hair. But holy cow, Lex... he is the one for me that got the tears going! I guess I singled him out because we teach him and we are use to little boys running around in our house. Lex is such a tiny, little 3 year old and he had little white pants on with a white shirt and white tie. He was so precious!! I just let the tears roll when they all kneeled across the alter together. Amy is pregnant with their 4th and I knew that their little baby was there too witnessing his or her family and couldn't wait to come down to earth to join them.

I was so happy that Troy and I were able to come to their sealing. Troy and I are happy that we were married in the temple but we both wished that we could have had that experience with Ryan and Ben. Can you just imagine Ryan and Ben coming into a sealing room with their little white pants, shirts, and ties? I would just cry so hard!!

Moving on...

After we left the temple, Troy and I stopped to grab a bite to eat. I was surprised that no one heard me in the quiet sealing room with my stomach growling!! We then decided to take advantage of our wonderful babysitters and buy some tickets to a movie. We went to see (500) days of Summer. Troy and I really liked it. The only thing that wasn't perfect was the fact that there was too much swearing. I would recommend that movie to anyone who doesn't mind a lot of swearing.

That really was a great evening with Troy. We were able to be together and enjoy time together without wresteling the boys.

Other great news!!...

We are going to buy a car!!! I've been driving around my Volkswagon Passet for 5 years now and we're getting tired of fixing it. It's been a great and reliable car but it has problems. Here is our new car we will be getting this week...


It's a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. This car is in GREAT condition. It has no scratches on the outside and perfect on the inside. I don't think any dirt lives on this car! And guess what? It has only 35,000 miles on it! Crazy huh?! The only thing that sold Troy on the car was the fact that it's black. He really likes black cars... look at his truck. I can't wait to start driving it around. More pictures to come!!

I did it! I did it!! I just ran my very first 1/2 Marathon!!!

Wahooooo!!!! Do you know how long I've been waiting for this day to come? I feel really great about it and I really did have a blast doing it! Here are the details...

I woke up around 4:15 a.m. to get ready to be on the bus at 5. I was nervous this morning because I really didn't know how I was going to do.

After our bus ride up the mountain, when I stepped off the bus, it was SOOO cold up there!! I was freezing! I was amazed that it was that cold. I'm not sure how cold it was because I didn't have my phone with me to tell me but my best guess... about 45 degrees. Everyone around me was shivering and sticking their arms in their shirts. When I got to the starting line, there was a long line for the bathrooms. I was surprised that I made it out before the race started.

So, after about a mile into the race, a girl came up to me and started talking. Oh man, was I grateful for her! Her name is Teri and she is a 5-time marathoner. She was giving me tips on how to run comfortably and how to run downhill. She was my saving grace!! And another thing I was very surprised at... she ran my pace!!! We became instant friends and ran and talked together for the next 7 miles. I can't believe how easy those 8 miles were with her at my side! At one point, we were running uphill and we decided to stop and take a picture together on her phone. It was right in front of Bridal Viel Falls. She is going to post that picture later on the internet so I don't have that picture right now.

A little after the 8-mile marker, Teri decided to stop and walk for a bit. She told me to keep going. I was sad but ready to take on the rest of the race by myself. For the rest of the race, I paced myself and I only stopped once to stretch my back and legs out. I was really surprised at how well I did! I couldn't be more happier!!

So, I was about a 1/2 mile away from the finish line and I knew that the race was coming to the end. I really started thinking about my experiences about trying to get where I was and I realized that I was about to complete my ultimate goal... my 1/2 marathon!! At mile 13, I almost started crying. It was really overwhelming!

Right before the finish line, I saw some wonderful people cheering me on...

As soon as Ryan saw me, he took off and ran with me across the finish line! He is such a sweet little boy! Troy told me that Ben took off too but his poor little legs just couldn't keep up with us. He just ran as fast as he could!!

My time when I crossed the finish line was.... 2 hours and 46 minutes. Now, I'm going to wait to see what my offical time was on the website because I was wearing a timing chip and that will be more accurate.

Here is a picture of me and the boys. Obviously, the boys didn't seem to be in a picture taking mood!

I'm really glad that Troy got these pictures! I'm sure I'm going to remember this day forever! I also just wanted to say...

Troy, thank you so much for supporting me! You have really helped me with the boys and also telling me to stop eating all that junk food!! I really can't believe that I did this. I honestly could not have done any of it without your help. You are the best husband in the world!

Right after I finished, we all went over to eat some watermelon. It tasted SO good!! I ate a huge piece in 2 seconds! Ben also wanted some so we handed him a huge peice too. It was funny watching him work on it. The watermelon was as big as his head!!

So, you see my shirt I'm wearing in those pictures? I made it the night before the race. Here's what it says...

Front of Shirt

Back of Shirt

Cute huh? I'm going to love wearing this shirt for some time!

Wow! I can't believe that I just ran a half marathon! Boy... am I feeling the soreness! OUCH!!!!